Most people are aware of the proverbial ‘biological clock’ that women are said to be born with. It is well known that as a woman ages the chances of her having difficult pregnancies and potential negative outcomes increase. Research now shows this may be true of men as well.

In the past, scientists were aware of the problems that could arise from advanced maternal age. A woman is born with all of the eggs she will ever have. As her body ages so do the eggs that would be used to reproduce. Advanced age in these eggs could mean problems when it comes to child development after fertilization.

Researchers have never really looked closely at paternal age because men regenerate sperm. It has now been found that sperm quality is affected by age more than previously believed. Researchers explained that each time sperm replicates there is a chance for DNA mutation. This chance is even greater for dads exposed to toxins throughout their lives.

CBS recently reported on a study done in Sweden. Scientists examined ALL births in Sweden from 1973 to 2001. “We were shocked by the findings,” said researcher Dr. Brian D’Onofrio. Children born to fathers who were over 45 were 25 percent more likely to become bipolar, had a 13 percent higher chance of having ADHD, and were 3.5 percent more likely to have autism when compared to kids born to fathers who were only 24.

D’Onofrio states, “While the findings do not indicate that every child born to an older father will have these problems, they add to a growing body of research indicating that advancing paternal age is associated with increased risk for serious problems.”

The CDC reports the average age for a first time mother in 2011 was 25.6, up from 21.5 in 1970. The age for first time fathers has had the same trend- generally being 3 years older than first time moms. Are we essentially hurting our children when we insist “40 is the new 30”?

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My husband I and were both a very healthy 37 when we had our first, 40 when we had our second. So far, so good – no problems with either pregnancy and both kids are bright and well adjusted.

Beverly

Interesting! Both my husband and I were 29.

Jlynn

My dad turned 49 a week after I was born, I have always had trouble focusing and was labeled a daydreamer in elementary school. I still struggle to focus now and I am soon to be 30. I was tested in middle school for learning disorders when I started to really struggle. They came back with the lacks focus and has trouble with short term memory, but nothing real solid that would get me extra help.

I did not have ADHD as that has lots of other things then just the inability to focus. I loved getting outside and doing things, sitting and listening was not my strong suit.

I have two nephews with ADHD, one his father was 18 when he was born, and the other was in his 30’s.

Lily

There was a very recent article in Pediatrics linking ADHD to having had encephalitis as a small child to ADHD and learning disabilities.
“CONCLUSIONS Encephalitis in children may be associated with significant long-term neurologic sequelae. Significant cognitive impairment, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and learning disabilities are common, and even children who were considered fully recovered at discharge may be significantly affected. Neuropsychological testing should be recommended for survivors of childhood encephalitis. ”

It’s nothing to do with age of parents, but of brain health and injury in the formative years.

Tammy

I was 21 when I had my first…..then 23 for my second……33 for my third, and 35 for my fourth……my younger kids have the same dad…..he was 41 when my daughter was born….his first….she is sooooooo smart

mm

My dad was 38 when I was born. I had to repeat 4th grade, i had trouble focusing in class. I was a daydreamer in class, remembering stuff was always a challenge for me. I learn how to read when I was in HS. My parents realized I was dyslexic but i was able to correct it, I know my weakness so I am careful with my work. That did not stop me to excel with my work. Now I’m married my husband is 46yo (15 years difference) and we have our second child shes 11mos old (healthy happy baby). Hope she wont have to go through what I’ve been because it was really hard.

Ekim Snevig

My son was born in 2010, and I was 51 years old. He’s started nursery school and is handling it just fine without any sign of any attention or hyper-activity indications.

tania

I was 33, my husband 34 when we had our first child, 37 and 38 for our second, and 42 for our third.

My husband’s uncle was born when his Dad was 48- his Uncle is odd, some sort of personality disorder. My husband’s brother just had his 2nd child at 48, he had his first at 45- I wonder how his kids will be.

Angela

Well, we shouldn’t overinterpret this. I was 31 and my husband 37 when I gave birth to my son, who has both autism (Aspergers) and ADHD. Several male members of my family have traits of Aspergers. ADHD occurs at a higher rate among Aspergers children than “neurotypical” ones, so maybe the ADHD is a side issue of the Aspergers. I had a daughter 2 years later, with neither Aspergers nor ADHD. No female members of my family are affected. This looks like genetics, not age.
Look at it this way: people with Aspergers – or high-functioning autism – find social interactions harder, and this could mean that those who do find a partner and have kids tend to get around to it later than average. Thus: an Aspergers/HFA parent with a potentially higher risk of an Aspergers/HFA child would be older. Not: all older parents have a higher risk of a child with autism.
The whole issue is more complicated than that, of course. There are probably multiple reasons for autism/ADHD, including brain injuries as Lily says, and others.
So no, age is not everything. Though it possibly plays a role.

Sophie Green

This is interesting. I didn’t know that having children when you’re older could contribute to a child getting ADHD.